General Atomics to provide launch systems for next Ford-class aircraft carrier
General Atomics EMS is now on contract to provide launch and arrestor systems for the fourth Ford-class carrier. (Photo: GA-EMS)
GA-EMS announced on 8 June that it has been awarded a contract modification by US Naval Air Systems Command to provide the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) for the Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Doris Miller (CVN 81).
GA-EMS will provide production, manufacturing, engineering, programme management, logistics support and information assurance as well as EMALS and AAG shipsets.
Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS, said: 'Having GA-EMS now under contract to provide EMALS and AAG for the CVN 81 enables greater efficiency and utilisation of our unique capabilities and resources to help meet construction and maintenance requirements and fleet readiness for all Ford-class carriers going forward.'
Related Articles
First steel cut for future aircraft carrier Doris Miller
Japanese aircraft carrier gets JPALS landing support system
Royal Navy to trial General Atomics Project Mojave STOL drone
The first in class carrier, USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78) has completed blue water certification with a full air wing and sustained operations supported by EMALS and AAG. GA-EMS is also under contracted to deliver EMALS and AAG for the future USS John F Kennedy (CVN 79) and USS Enterprise (CVN 80).
'CVN 79 EMALS and AAG certification is under way, and over 80% of CVN 80 EMALS and AAG production has been completed. We are proud to continue our working relationship with the navy as each carrier continues preparations to enter service to our nation for the decades to come,; said Rolf Ziesing, VP of GA-EMS maritime programmes.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the USS Doris Miller is expected for delivery in February 2032. Steel was cut on 25 August 2021 and the vessel is due to be laid down in 2026. The carrier was procured in FY2020 to cost $12,450.7 million, and is being funded from FY2019 extending beyond FY2026.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Gerald R. Ford Class (CVN 82) [USN]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability moves ahead with development contracts
The Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) programme is a transnational effort across NATO to replace a range of helicopters which are expected to begin retiring from the mid-2030s.
-
Raytheon strikes deal with new rocket motor maker to secure supply chain
Raytheon has seen increased demand for its missiles in the face of the Russia-Ukraine war where Kyiv has been using air-to-air missiles for ground-based air-defence.
-
European Common Radar System Mk2 begins ground-testing in UK
BAE Systems hopes to work out any issues before the radar is sent for flight testing.
-
Boeing to upgrade software for KC-46A tanker
The KC-46A upgrades will improve the platform’s mission readiness, performance in challenged airspace and rapid deployment capabilities.
-
Teledyne FLIR promotes ITAR-free Star SAFIRE imaging payload at FIA
The Ultraforce 380-HDc, launched at Farnborough International Airshow, builds on Teledyne FLIR’s successful Star SAFIRE family of systems and is aimed at both the military and security markets.
-
Dutch and Austrian governments collaborate on Embraer C-390 acquisition at Farnborough
The two nations will split the acquisition of the C-390s to boost their airlift capacities.